An ex-staffer to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said “justice has been served” following former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration for U.S. attorney general.
Gaetz announced his withdrawal on Thursday, writing that it was “clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.” Gaetz has been the center of a probe into sexual allegations. He denies wrongdoing.
Gaetz was at the forefront of a mutiny that led to McCarthy being ousted as House speaker after less than nine months in the role. McCarthy had harsh words for Gaetz after his removal.
“I think justice has been served today,” said Brittany Martinez, a political strategist and former staffer for McCarthy, following Gaetz’ withdrawal this week, as reported by KBAC.
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Referencing the allegations against Gaetz, Martinez added: “We always knew that there was a faction within the conference that may try to vacate him. I do not know why Matt Gaetz would go so hard after Kevin McCarthy when he had such atrocious skeletons in his closet.”
The former McCarthy staffer also questioned Gaetz’s credentials, stating he “is not even qualified to be Attorney General. When we look at his career as a lawyer it is very limited.”
Newsweek contacted Gaetz for comment via email outside of standard working hours.
The bad blood between McCarthy and Gaetz persisted, with the former backing the latter’s opponent in a Republican primary earlier this year, although Gaetz won the contest.
McCarthy, still an influential Republican known as a significant fundraiser, also worked against others who moved to oust him, though these efforts were largely unsuccessful.
President-elect Donald Trump has since tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his new pick for attorney general.
A long-time Trump ally, Bondi served as one of Trump’s defense attorneys during his first impeachment trial. She served as Florida attorney general from 2011 to 2019, and also led the legal arm on the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute.
“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families.”
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